Listy-lists

Greetings, friends! It’s that time of year…when all the lists come out and attempt to organize and label and judge things that have happened during the year. I do feel a pull toward making lists too…and I thought I’d have some fun with lists that are more…sharing than labeling…!

I visited my goodreads page to ‘list’ the books I’ve read in 2025. I have to say, I read way less than I felt like I read! In total, I read 13 books. That’s one a month, which honestly, is good considering all the reading I do for my work…but the thing about my reading this year was that this was a year of starting and not finishing…I started at least six books that I didn’t finish…maybe even more. I’ve been pondering why this happened…and I think it’s because a) my brain is peri-menopausal still, and it’s harder to stay focused and/or in-tune with things like stories (!) b) I often read for comfort…so I’ll start a book that brings me comfort in that moment…and then when I’m ready to read again…I may not need that kind of comfort or I don’t feel connected to characters in some way…In any case, you can see what books I read there…the list is short, but I enjoyed what I read. Mostly.

The biggie is c) I haven’t finished editing my own GD book! It’s like I’m having some kind of ‘finishing’ ailment when it comes to books! I’ve been watching loads of films – and finishing them. I’ve been watching loads of shows – and finishing entire seasons. I’ve no problem getting my binge on. I’m finishing chocolate bars, bowls of popcorn, cans of soda, and long, hot baths. Finishing is happening…but not with reading and writing. Huh.

I’m trying to avoid ‘Best Books’ list because they make me kinda sad. It’s a kind of literary curation that is impossible…and the writers who don’t make the list – that’s the list I want to see. And, I curate my stacks of books based on friends sharing their favs, book covers, emotional draws to themes and characters, and my favourite authors. Also, friends who are publishing, I do my best to read their books too!

I’m current reading ‘Gertrude Stein: After Life’ by Francesca Wade. It’s quite fascinating. Very informative, well-researched, and well-written. Wade also wrote ‘Square Haunting: Five Writers in London Between the Wars’ which I started reading, and pick up when I’m craving non-fiction about Virginia Woolf.

I’ve got a high stack of To Be Read books for 2026…I’m collecting before January 1st, because I’m not buying books this upcoming year. It’s a thing I try to do so I read the books I already have…and save some money. I was staring at my bookshelves here in my office and thinking: damn, girl, you’ve got sooo many amazing books you HAVEN’T READ. I want to pay attention to these books! And, since this year I’m doing a major culling of my book collection, I want to make sure I keep the ones I haven’t read, cherish the ones I’ve already read and love, and let go of the rest with love…

How many lists have I done so far? Two…

Here’s another one…

THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ME

1. I’m really terrible at remembering birthdays. It’s a problem.
2. I’m getting terrible at remembering names…faces are good, phone numbers are if-y…
3. I’m growing out my hair until I turn fifty. This includes growing out my roots which are white as snow.
4. I drink diet soda. I prefer Diet Pepsi but Diet Coke will suffice – in a glass with ice, of course.
5. I do not like walnuts. Unless they are candied, or crushed into a paste and blended with dates.
6. My eyes are dry. I need to put in eye drops each morning.
7. I take vitamins. And probiotics.
8. I push my cuticles down a lot, and I like how fake nails look, but it feels weird if I get them. Like, my nails can’t breathe.
9. I really love stickers. Like, it’s a problem. I put a sticker on every page of the journal I’m writing in. I collected stickers when I was a kid, and it was a divine experience. That kid part of me still exists, and I *need* stickers in my life.
10. I use an electric toothbrush to brush my teeth, and Colgate Sensitive toothpaste. The original with the pink label.
11. I can’t drink coffee black. I need some kind of cream.
12. I sleep on my stomach and my side.
13. I had my earlobes double pierced, but then one set of holes closed.
14. I have skin tags.
15. I remember my dreams nearly every morning.
16. Maggots freak me out.
17. I cry almost every day. Could be from a scene in a show or book…could be witnessing my kids or husband doing literally anything…could be PMS.
18. I enjoy a well-emotioned curse word.
19. I’m afraid of falling.
20. I love pins/broaches.

Do you have any end-of-year rituals? Outside of avoiding certain lists yet inevitably making my own, I always do an end of year journal write. I find the previous year’s journal and read what I wrote…think about what I achieved and/or learned…and consider paths into the new year, including paths I’m already on and wanting (needing) to continue.

I’ve added a new ritual this year too: 13 wishes. (But, here’s where I heard of it: @thatglasgowwitch) Since the solstice, I’ve been ripping/cutting up one wish a day and putting in a jar of water. The act is giving up the wish to the Love to take on, then on January 1st, there’ll be one wish left. This one, I’ll open and be responsible for making come true in 2026. Come the spring, I’ll dig a hole and bury the contents. The ritual calls for burning the wishes, but yikes, fire freaks me out. (Make that #21!) It’s been a lovely experience so far.

I’m writing a poem a day in 2026! The last time I did this was in 2021. I can’t believe it’s been..five years. But I’m ready to write a poem every day for me, for you, for us.

Do I have a list of goals/dreams for 2026? Sigh. Kind of. I did a lot of dreamwork – revisioning, revising, re-energizing old dreams and shifting into new dreams and it’s an on-going process that isn’t attached to calendar timing. I’m really doing my best to follow moon and season cycles, my body cycles and my heart-and-gut guide.

Alas, I also think for some dreams, I’m just not ready to switch the ‘I hope’ to ‘I will’. There’s something about this long stretch of holidays…of time ‘off’…that is stifling my…motivation and commitment. And, I kinda wanna let it.

I’m gonna go read now. I hope you’re enjoying your holidays…whatever shape and size and sensations it’s bringing!

Here’s to making or not making lists!

Thank you!